The Northern Irishman reportedly walked out after a disagreement with Villa owner Randy Lerner - but it was the American's name the home fans were chanting at the end of an emphatic win.

While it was a fine day for the Midlands club, it was a dreadful start to the new job for Grant, whose side looked disjointed and toothless as they were outplayed for most of the game by a young and committed Villa side.

MacDonald's team showed no ill-effects from the events of the past week as they started the match in blistering fashion, with John Carew heading just wide from Downing's cross after three minutes.

They went even closer to an opening goal moments later after some calamitous defending by James Tomkins.

The young centre-back's woeful back pass allowed Carew a clear run at goal and after Green got a touch with his leg, the ball ricocheted off Tomkins and then bounced back off the post.

But the Hammers' good fortune quickly evaporated and it was goalkeeper Green, mercilessly booed throughout by the Villa fans after his unfortunate World Cup exploits, who was at the centre of the action.

The keeper's poor punch from a Young cross led to a shot from Albrighton and, although Green palmed it away, Downing followed up to tap in the rebound.

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West Ham must learn from defeat - Grant

Referee Mike Dean waved away the protests from the Hammers defence, who thought Downing was in an offside position when the ball was fired in by Albrighton - with replays suggesting they had a case.

The busy West Ham keeper partially made amends when he acrobatically tipped over Young's clever lob.

But Villa continued to excel and they soon doubled their lead when Young dinked in a cross, and Petrov beat Faubert in the air to power a header past the helpless Green from eight yards out.

The goal roused the lethargic visitors into creating their only chance of the half as Luis Boa Morte cut inside and forced a good save from Brad Friedel.

Manager Grant signalled his desire for more attacking intent in the second half as he sent on new signings Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne.

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Relieved MacDonald unsure over Villa future

The change almost paid off when the Frenchman teed up an unmarked Faubert in the box, only for the winger to scuff wide from 12 yards out.

The Hammers were left to rue the miss when Milner, possibly playing his last game for the club as he has been strongly linked with a big-money move to Manchester City, added an excellent third goal.

The 20-year-old Albrighton, who was outstanding on his first Premier League start, jinked past two defenders and cut the ball back for Milner, who swept the ball past Green from the edge of the box.

Villa should have extended their lead but Carew made a mess of a free header from six yards out and then saw a shot hit the inside of the post.

Milner, who had been booed by some supporters at the start of the game, received a standing ovation when he was substituted in the closing stages.

There was plenty here to suggest that if the midfielder does leave, Villa have the talent to thrive without him.

56:55 Foul by Stephen Warnock on Julien Faubert, free kick awarded. Robert Green restarts play with the free kick.

55:54 Corner taken right-footed by Ashley Young from the left by-line, Shot by James Milner. Blocked by James Tomkins.

54:27 Julien Faubert produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

53:54 Goal kick taken long by Brad Friedel (Aston Villa).

53:36 James Tomkins has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.

52:41 Effort on goal by James Milner from 20 yards. Blocked by James Tomkins. Ciaran Clark gives away a free kick for an unfair
challenge on Frederic Piquionne. Julien Faubert crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, Richard
Dunne makes a clearance.

51:23 Defending throw-in by James Tomkins (West Ham).

50:41 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Mark Noble.

49:57 Direct free kick taken by Matthew Upson.

49:57 Booking The referee shows Marc Albrighton a yellow card.

49:54 Free kick awarded for a foul by Marc Albrighton on Pablo Barrera.

49:48 The ball is crossed by Stewart Downing, Robert Green makes a comfortable save.

48:11 Corner taken right-footed by Mark Noble, James Tomkins has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the
right of the target.

48:02 The ball is swung over by Frederic Piquionne, clearance made by Ciaran Clark.

46:31 Unfair challenge on Luke Young by Pablo Barrera results in a free kick. Shot on goal comes in from Stewart Downing from the
free kick,

46:26 A cross is delivered by Ashley Young, clearance by Scott Parker.

46:02 John Carew fouled by Mark Noble, the ref awards a free kick. Ashley Young takes the free kick.

45:22 Frederic Piquionne has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the target.

45:01 Substitution Pablo Barrera is brought on as a substitute for Luis Boa Morte.

25:00 Effort from deep inside the area by Carlton Cole misses to the right of the goal.

22:49 Goal kick taken long by Robert Green (West Ham).

21:48 Corner taken by Ashley Young from the left by-line, Scott Parker makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken by Stewart Downing
from the right by-line, Richard Dunne produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand
upright.

21:23 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Stewart Downing, Robert Green makes a save.

20:59 Short corner taken by Stewart Downing.

20:33 Shot by Ashley Young from 12 yards. Save by Robert Green.

19:19 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ashley Young by James Tomkins. Ashley Young takes the direct free kick.

18:42 John Carew gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Matthew Upson. Robert Green restarts play with the free kick.

18:25 Attacking throw-in by Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa).

17:38 Defending throw-in by Herita Ilunga (West Ham).

17:05 The ball is crossed by Luke Young, clearance made by Robert Green.

16:05 John Carew concedes a free kick for a foul on Winston Reid. Robert Green takes the free kick.

14:02 The assist for the goal came from Marc Albrighton.

14:02 GOAL - Stewart Downing:Aston Villa 1 - 0 West Ham Stewart Downing fires in a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Aston Villa 1-0 West
Ham.

1:36 Stewart Downing takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Robert Green makes a save. Inswinging
corner taken by Stewart Downing from the right by-line played to the near post, Richard Dunne has a headed effort from close
range and clears the crossbar.

1:30 The ball is sent over by Marc Albrighton.

1:22 The ball is swung over by Stewart Downing, clearance made by Matthew Upson.

0:41 Ashley Young takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Winston Reid makes a clearance.

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